Safety building construction



E. A. WIEGAND SAFETY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION May 15, 1962 Filed Feb. 5,1958 May 15, 1962 Filed Feb. 5. 1958 Fig.2

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3,034,606 SAFETY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Edward A. Wiegand, 1461 OlivewoodAve., Apt. 2, Lakewood, Ohio Filed Feb. s, 1958, Ser. No. 713,483 18Claims. (Cl. 189-1) This invention relates generally to buildingconstructions and pertains more particularly to a novel type of buildingconstruction incorporating means for resisting destruction from suddenshocks and the like and also incorporating means for minimizing injuryto the occupants of the building should the latter be destroyed.

When disasters occur, due to natural or other causes, many injuries anddeaths may be directly attributed to damage caused by the debrisoccasioned by the collapse of buildings. Frequently, wall sections maycollapse and crush the occupants of a building therebeneath andfrequently large masses of the roof and ceiling structures fall upon theoccupants of buildings. Consequently, it is a general objective of thisinvention to first, provide a building construction having the componentparts thereof so related to each other that the building will withstanda great amount of abuse from natural or man made disasters withoutcollapsing, and secondly, to provide in such a building constructionmeans whereby the building if it does collapse wholly or in part, willnot likely severely injure the occupants thereof.

More specifically, an object of this invention is to provide an improvedbuilding construction employing relatively massive wall constructionsconstructed and joined together in such a manner as to withstand asubstantial amount of relative movement therebetween without causingcollapse of the building structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved buildingconstruction embodying wall structures which are inclined in upwardlyand outwardly disposed positions such that should the wall sectionscollapse, they will fall outwardly rather than inwardly upon theoccupants of the building.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved buildingconstruction of the character described employing a lightweight roofstructure which, even though it should collapse, will not be likely toseriously injure the occupants of the building.

' A further object of this invention is to provide an improved buildingconstruction of the character described incorporating a centrallydisposed skeletal framework and a plurality of side wall assembliesforming an enclosure therearound, the side walls being disposed inupwardly and outwardly sloping relationship and with cable assembliesbeing attached between the upper ends of the side wall assemblies andthe skeletal framework serving to support the side walls and alsoproviding support means for a lightweight roof construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a building constructioncapable of withstanding great shock loads and including enclosureforming side wall assemblies sloped upwardly and outwardly and joined atthe corners of the building by expansible joint elements permitting ofwide latitude in movement between adjacent wall sections.

Another object of this invention is to provide a building constructionof the character described wherein the wall assemblies therefor arecomposed of a plurality of vertical panels of wedge shaped configurationin crosssection and so supported that certain of the panels will morereadily break away and topple outwardly, away from the occupants of thebuilding.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved safetybuilding construction employing a centrally disposed skeletal frameworkof hollow construction and adapted to contain circulating heating waterand which water may also be utilized for fire prevention purposes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a building constructionof the character described incorporat ing wall constructions composed ofa plurality of vertically disposed panels which are sloped such as to betiltedoutwardly at their upper ends and which panels are sointerconnected that certain panels thereof may more easily falloutwardly away from the occupants of the building than the remainder ofthe wall panels and wherein certain other panels are so constructed asto provide escape doors by means of which the occupants of the buildingmay exit therefrom.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved buildingconstruction of the character described employing at least a pair ofvertical poles mounted swivelly at their lower ends upon a suitable baseand having guy wires or cables associated with their upper ends topermit a substantial degree of movement of said poles and wherein thepoles are provided with enclosing side wall assemblies which are sodisposed as to lean outwardly at their upper ends and which are providedwith spring like anchor members to which cables are attached to extendtherefrom for attachment to a rigid piece extending between the upperends of the poles, the cables serving to hold the side walls in placeand held in tension thereby so as to provide a support structure for anoverlying roof which is of light weight construction so that if the sameshould collapse, serious injury to the occupants of the building is notlikely to occur.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view partly broken away showing a buildingconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken through one of thesupporting poles for the building structure and illustrating the detailsof internal construction thereof and the association of the componentparts thereof for the purpose of circulating water therethrough;

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating the manner in whichthe ridge piece is connected to one of the supporting poles and servingalso to illustrate the fluid coupling line extending between these twoelements;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the plane ofsection line 44 in FIGURE 2 and illustrating the disposition of theheating coils and the fire extinguishing nozzle;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along theplane of section line 55 of FIG- URE l and illustrating the details ofconstruction and mounting of one of the break away panel assemblies;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially along thesection line 66 in FIGURE 1 illustrating the manner in which the cornerportions of the building are connected together;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially along theplane of section line 7-7 in FIGURE 1 and showing details of the escapedoor or hatch mechanism;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along theplane of section line 88 in FIG- URE 1 illustrating the resilient anchorfor one of the cable assemblies; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 but showing a type of anchorincorporating a dashpot principle and which is used with the break-awayhatch construction.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIGURE 1, the referencenumeral 1t) indicates the building construction in accordance with thisinvention and which, in the specific construction shown, incorporatesthe side wall assemblies 11, 12, 13 and 14 which are disposed ingenerally rectangular relationship to define an enclosure therewithin.Each of the side walls is disposed in generally upwardly and outwardlysloping relationship, as will be readily seen and each is composed of aseries of upright panel elements such as those indicated by thereference characters 15 and 16 of the side wall assembly 14.

The lower edges or bases of the side wall panels rest upon a suitablefoundation such as is indicated by the reference character 17 inconnection with the panel 18 (FIGURE 5). Certain of the side wall panelssuch as the panels 18, rest upon a coil spring 19, the remainder of thepanels being disposed directly upon the foundation 17.

Each of the panels, however, is maintained in place so that its lowerend will not kick inwardly by the utilization of one or more leaf springelements 20 and 21 as is illustrated in FIGURE 5, such leaf springassembly being embedded directly in the foundation 17 and having itsupper end curved outwardly somewhat in the manner shown and fixedlysecured to the lower end of the various panels as by fasteners 22 and 23which preferably extend completely through the panels to serve thepurpose of firmly anchoring the same in place. In this manner, the lowerends of each of the vertical panels forming the side walls is at onceheld against inward movement of the lower end thereof but is permitted agreat deal of freedom for flexing or movement such that its upper endswings back and forth. Due to the slope at which the side panels areplaced, their natural tendency is to fall outwardly, as will be readilyapparent.

In order to hold the upper ends of the various panels in place, askeletal, centrally disposed support structure is utilized whichconsists of at least a pair of vertical pole elements 25 and 26 having aridge piece 27 extending therebetween. As will hereinafter be described,the poles 25 and 26 have their lower ends set so as to permitoscillation of these pole pieces and in order to normally maintain thesame in a fixed, predetermined erect position, each of the pole elementsis provided with a plurality of guy cables or wires 28, 29 and 30 whichare rigidly afiixed to the upper ends of the corresponding rods or polesand extend outwardly therefrom to anchor stakes such as those indicatedby the reference characters 31, 32 and 33. Preferably, of course, theanchor stakes are widely spaced as is illustrated most clearly in FIGURE1 so as to impart a maximum of rigidity to the poles.

Each panel is provided with an arched leaf spring element 34 having itslower end portion 35 secured as by fasteners 36 and 37 to the outer faceof the panel adjacent the upper end thereof, as is clearly illustratedin FIGURE 5. The leaf spring element '34 arches away from the upper endof the panel and terminates in an eye 38. Securely fixed and anchored toeach such eye 38 is an end portion 39 of cables 40 which extendtherefrom to a point of attachment at their opposite ends to the topchord element 41 of the ridge piece 27. The disposition of each eye 38is such that the taut cables 40 will rest upon the upper edges 42 of thevarious panels. It will be appreciated that the cables will support theweight of the panels with which they are associated so as to normallyserve to maintain the same in a predetermined vertically inclinedposition as will be evident from a study of FIG- URE 5. FIGURE 5 alsoillustrates the construction preferred in the case of each of theseveral panels. This preferred form of construction encompasses the useof an outer casing 45 of metal or the like filled with wood or concrete46 or some such suitable material, the metal sheathing serving to renderthe panels as fireproof as is practical and yet it is also to beappreciated that the panels themselves must be sufficiently rigid and ofgreat enough strength as to sustain the necessary loads.

As can be seen in FIGURE 1, the opposite side abutting edges 47, 48, 49,etc. of the panels are cut at a diagonal so that the cross-section ofeach of the panels is of generally a wedge shape configuration, thusproviding an interlocking effect between adjacent panels. It is alsopreferred, see particularly FIGURE 7, that the vertical side edges ofthe panels are provided with troughs 56 and 51 receiving an insulationstrip 52 therebetween, thus providing an airtight joint between adjacentpanels.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the manner in which the entire wall assemblages areheld in proper relationship with respect to each other. This isaccomplished by providing anchoring cables 53 through at least thecorner forming panel elements and which are retained under tension bythe shoulder elements 54 secured exteriorly of the cables 53, as isshown. Since all of the panels slope upwardly and outwardly, the cornerportions thereof will define openings which are covered by thecorrugated or fan shaped strips 55 preferably formed of metal and whichare securely anchored at their opposite side edges 56 and 57 to thecorresponding corner panels 58 and 59. The cables 53 between theadjacent panels 58 and 59 are permitted to sag or be slack and areencased in the coil springs 60. The purpose of the slack is to permitsome movement between adjacent corner panels as will be permitted by thenormal expansion of the corrugated metal 55.

Referring back to FIGURE 1, it will be clearly apparent that at leastsome of the panels are provided with exterior anchoring cable elements'61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 while certain of the other panels will beprovided with no such anchoring cables. The panels 67, 68, 69 and 70which are not provided with anchoring cables have their opposite sideedges so sloped or cut as to permit these sections to fall outwardlyaway from the interior of the building should their anchoring cables 40break. The remainder of the anchored panel assemblies are provided withescape hatches as will be seen most clearly in FIGURE 7, such hatchbeing indicated generally by the reference character 75 and, as will bereadily apparent, consisting of a generally rectangular outer metalsheathing or case 76 having a suitable filler 77 therein and having itsopposite side edges 78 and 79 snugly engaging within the channelelements 80 and 81. The side strips 82 and 83 on opposite sides of thepanel 75 and defining the door opening therein carry shear pin elementsand 91 which project through the opposite sides 78 and 79 of the door 75and are adapted, upon shearing, to permit the door to be swung outwardlyso as to permit the occupants of the building to escape. In order tocontrol the movement of the door or hatch, the lower edge thereof isprovided with suitable hinges 95 and 96 as is seen most clearly inFIGURE 1 so as to permit a controlled swinging outward thereof.

The anchor cables 61-66 are anchored within the ground surface, each ofwhich includes a suitable body of cement 100 or the like having agenerally tubular casing 101 or 102 therein. In FIGURE 8, the anchorcable 102, which generally represents the cables 61, 64 and 66, issurrounded, within the casing 101 by a compression spring 103 and isprovided at its free end with a nut or similar element 104 bearingagainst a washer 105 or the like so that tension on the cable 102 willplace the spring 103 under compression. This permits a considerableamount of give yet establishes a substantially rigid assembly. Thisconstruction is used in connection with the panels to which the cables61, 64 and 66 of FIGURE 1 are attached and yieldingly opposes inwardmovement of the panels in the wall structure.

In FIGURE 9, a dashpot principle is utilized and in this case the cable106, which generally represents the cables 62, 63 and 65, is providedwith a piston element 107 attached to its free end which slides withinthe bore of the casing 162. In this case, the aperture 108 through whichthe cable 106 extends at the top of the casing is provided with anysuitable packing or sealing material 109 so as to entrap air or fluidwithin the chamber 110. This, of course, effects a damping action upontension forces exerted on the cable 106.

This anchor means is used in connection with the escape hatches 75 towhich the cables 62, 63 and 65 of FIGURE 1 are attached.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIGURE 2, the constructionand disposition of the poles 25 and 26 will be more clearly seen. Inthis figure, the reference numeral 111 indicates a hollow cap piecehaving a mounting flange 112 at its lower end and which is secured as byfasteners 113 to the mounting flange 114 at the upper end of the mainbody portion 115 of the pole. Disposed within the lower end of the mainbody portion 115 is a tube element 116 having a collar 117 at its upperend engaging against the inner surface of the main body 115 and servingto isolate the upper chamber 118 and the interior of the tube 119 fromthe surrounding chamber 120. The lower end of the main body portion 115is provided with a mounting flange 121 secured as by rivets or the like122 to the flange 123 of a coupling element 124, also provided with amounting flange 125 at its lower end mating with the mounting flange 126of the socket element 127 which is of hemispherical configuration, aswill be readily apparent, and which seats within a cup shaped bearingelement 128 so as to permit the aforementioned oscillation of the pole.

The lower end of the pole projects through an enlarged aperture 130 inthe floor 131 of the building and the bearing element 128 is embedded inthe foundation 132 as are a plurality of vertically extending rods orbolts 133 which project through the mounting flanges 125 and 126 andprovided with compression springs 134 thereon held in position by thenuts 135 at the upper ends of such bolts. This assembly, as will bereadily apparent, will yieldingly permit the oscillation of the pole.

The previously mentioned chamber 120 is provided with an elbow 140communicating at the lower end thereof and extending outwardly throughthe side of the cou pling element 124 and coupled, through a suitableflexible connection, to a source of water under pressure whereas theinterior 119 of the tube 116 is connected through a joint or union 141which extends through the coupling element 124 and is connected througha suitable flexible element to the other side of the source of water.The flexible line 142 connected to the pipe 143 is that whichconstitutes the coupling or connection to the element 140.

Interconnecting the chambers 120 and 118 are a series of heating coilelements indicated generally by the reference character 150 and whichwill be seen to include lower legs 151 connected to and communicatingwith the interior of the chamber 120 and having upper legs 152 coupledto and communicating with the chamber 118 so that hot water forcedupwardly through the chamber 120 will communicate through the heatingcoils with the chamber 118 and then back down through the tube 116 tothe return line 141. As an added measure of safety, the chamber 118 mayhave provided in connection therewith a series of radially projectingsprinkler arms 166 having suitable nozzles 161 thereon for sprayingwater into the interior of the building, these nozzles being suitablycontrolled by fusible metallic elements or the like for automaticoperation in the case of fire.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the manner in which the ridge piece 27 is connectedto the pole 25 and 26. In this figure, it will be evident that the endof the top chord element 41 of the ridge piece is provided with a creviselement 165 having a swivel pin 166 associated therewith engagingthrough a second clevis element 167 having a swivel pin 168 associatedtherewith so as to extend through the ear 169 of a collar 170 aflixed tothe pole 25. Thus, a universal swivelling action is achieved between theridge piece and each of the poles 25 and 26. This permits of theaforementioned oscillatory movement of the poles such that the buildingmay sway and rock under the action of external forces to absorb the samewithout complete collapse or extensive damage to the building.

The top chord 41 of the ridge piece 27 and the bottom chord thereof areof tubular construction and the interiors thereof are intercommunicatedso as to distribute the heating water and the fire prevention watertherethrough and for this purpose a flexible metallic coupling element176 is connected by suitable nipples 177 and 178 at its opposite ends tothe main body portion 115 of the pole and the bottom chord 175respectively.

The previously mentioned anchoring cables 40 which serve to support theupper ends of the vertical side panels are anchored to the top chord 41where appropriate and to the poles 25 and 26 where appropriate also.These various support cables serve not only the purpose of positioningthe vertical panels in proper position but also serve as a support forthe roof structure which is composed of a plurality of panels 180, 181,etc. as is shown most clearly in FIGURE 1. Each of these roof panels maybe comprised of a foraminous undersurface portion see particularlyFIGURE 2, and an upper metallic sheathing 186 or other suitablesubstance but the primary consideration here is that the roof panels beof lightweight and fire resistant construction so that even if thebuilding completely collapses, the roof elements will not seriouslyinjure the occupants of the building. Since the roof is of lightweightconstruction and serves no purpose in the overall support of thebuilding, the same need not even be self-sustaining and may even bepermitted to sag between adjacent cables 40. The corner portions ofacting as lightning rods as well as providing their supangular metalstrips 190 which are similar in construction to and joined with thetriangular corrugated metal strips 55 at the corners of the side walls.

It is to be noted that the hollow columns are capable of acting aslightning rods as Well as providing their supporting function and areaptly suitable for the purpose of heating and cooling the building aswell as for providing water outlets for the purpose of fire fighting. Inaddition, the hollow columns will resist the effects of overheatingthereof should a fire occur in the building so as to prevent collapse ofthe main structure of the building.

It is to be understood that in addition to the cables for supporting theroof, the same could be made of light mesh, steel bending materials orthe like. Also, the walls could be made of aggregates or other solidsmaterials, as desired. The walls overbalance the weight of the roof andkeep the shape of the building while the break-away doors relieve thevacuum of a tornado.

Although the two resilient anchor constructions shown in FIGURES 8 and 9are modified structures of resilient anchors, they are not alternativesbut are used in different manners in the wall assembly. Thus, the anchorconstruction of FIGURE 8 provides a constant resilient force tending tourge the wall panels outwardly of the building so that in the event ofexcessive pressure being developed within the interior of the buildingthese panels will pull away and thus vent the excess pressure and alsofurther prevent the relatively massive wall construction from fallinginwardly upon the occupants of the building. The resistance of thisanchor means is therefore constant regardless of the force applied tothe building wall or the rate of movement of the building wall.

On the other hand, the dashpot construction of FIG- URE 9 is connectedonly to the escape hatch or breakaway hatch construction of the hatchmembers 75. The action of the dashpots and the associated cables 62, 63and 65 represented generally by the cable 106 to provide a relativelyslow rate of yield to inward movement of the panel containing thebreak-away hatch member therein. Thus, the break-away hatch member canremain seated in its associated panel for relatively slight movements ofthe wall structure. However, if there is a sudden movement of the wallstructure such as would be occasioned by an explosion or the like, thesudden inward movement of the wall would be resisted by the dashpot andthis in turn would pull or disengage the associated break-away hatchmember from its associated panel. Thus there would be a sudden orsnapping action to quickly remove the break-away hatches from their ,7associated paths and thus provide a ready means of escape for theoccupants of the building.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower end resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of vertical poles fixed withinsaid enclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, aplurality of support cables extending between said ridge piece and theupper ends of said panels for holding the panels in predeterminedposition, and a lightweight roof structure supported on said cables.

2. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, said ridgepiece being of elongate tubular construction and including means at theopposite ends thereof swivelly connecting the same to the poles, aplurality of support cables extending between said ridge piece and theupper ends of of said panels for holding the panels in predeterminedposition, and a lightweight roof structure supported on said cables.

3. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation whereby said sidewalls define V-shaped openings at the intersections thereof, a V-shapedexpandable metallic member covering each of said opening and secured tocorresponding panels along the opposite sides thereof, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, a pluralityof support cables extending between said rigid piece and the upper endsof said panels for holding the panels in predetermined position, and alightweight roof structure supported on said cables.

4. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation, and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of interlockingelongate panels having their lower ends resting upon said foundation andextending therefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, aplurality of spring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of saidpanels and engaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of upright polesfixed within said enclosure and having a ridge piece extendingtherebetween, a plurality of roof supporting cables secured to saidridge piece and the upper portions of said panels, and a plu rality ofguy cables fixed to the upper end of each pole and extending radiallydownwardly therefrom for attachment to anchor parts exteriorly of saidenclosure.

5. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of edge adjoiningelongate panels having their lower ends resting upon said foundation andextending therefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, aplurality of spring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of saidpanels and engaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed withinsaid enclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween andarticulatedly connected thereto, a plurality of support cables extendingbetween said ridge piece and the upper ends of said panels for holdingthe panels in predetermined position, a lightweight roof structuresupported on said cables, further spring means carried by thefoundation, and one of said side wall assemblies disposed on saidfurther spring means.

6. A safety building construction comprising a founda- :tion, aplurality of side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation anddefining an enclosure, each side wall assembly including a series ofelongate panels having their lower ends resting upon said foundation andextending therefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, aplurality of spring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of saidpanels and engaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of upright polesfixed within said enclosure and having a ridge piece extendingtherebteween, a plurality of support cables extending between said ridgepiece and the upper ends of said panels for holding the panels inpredetermined position, and a roof structure supported on said cables.

7. The safety building construction of claim 6, wherein two of said sidewall assemblies have adjacent corner edges spaced from each other at theupper ends thereof, strips attached to the last mentioned edges andbeing extensible and retractible, and a spring and cable assemblymechanically connected to said edges and bridging said space betweensaid edges of said pair of walls assemblies.

8. The safety building construction of claim 6 wherein there areresilient ground anchors, cables extending from some of said side wallassemblies and secured to said resilient ground anchors, knockout doorsconnected with said side wall assemblies, and means including dashpotsfor restraining the movement of said knockout doors.

9. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, said ridgepiece being of elongate tubular construction and including means at theopposite ends thereof swivelly connecting the same to said poles, aplurality of guy cables fixed to the upper end of each pole andextending radially downwardly therefrom for attachment to anchor partsexteriorly of said enclosure, a plurality of support cables extendingbetween said ridge piece and the upper ends of said panels for holdingthe panels in predetermined position, and a lightweight roof structuresupported on said cables.

10. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, a pluralityof support cables extending between said ridge piece and the upper endsof said panels for holding the panels in predetermined position, and alightweight roof structure supported on said cables, the opposite sideedges of said panels being bevelled whereby each panel is of wedgeshaped cross-section, and insulating means interposed between theabutting side edges of adjacent panels.

11. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, a pluralityof support cables extending between said ridge piece and the upper endsof said panels for holding the panels in predetermined position, and alightweight roof structure supported on said cables, the opposite sideedges of said panels being bevelled whereby each panel is of wedgeshaped cross-section, and insulating means interposed between theabutting side edges of adjacent panels, and there being exterior anchorcables attached to certain of said panels inward deflection thereof.

12. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, a pluralityof sup port cables extending between said ridge piece and the upper endsof said panels for holding the panels in predetermined position, and alightweight roof structure supported on said cables, the opposite endedges of said panels being bevelled whereby each panel is of wedgeshaped cross-section and insulating means interposed between theabutting side edges of adjacent panels, certain of said panels havingescape openings therein, and a door mounted in each of said openings andhinged at its bottom for outward swinging movement. 7

13. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, a pluralityof support cables extending between said ridge piece and the upper endsof said panels for holding the panels in predetermined position, and alightweight roof structure supported on said cables, the opposite sideedges of said panels being bevelled whereby each panel is of wedgeshaped cross-section, and insulating means interposed between theabutting side edges of adjacent panels, and there being exterior anchorcables attached to certain of said panels limiting inward deflectionthereof, said anchor cables being resiliently anchored to absorb shock.

14. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall assemblies disposed on said foundation and defining anenclosure, each side wall assembly including a series of elongate panelshaving their lower ends resting upon said [foundation and extendingtherefrom in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation, a plurality ofspring leaves embedded in said foundation inwardly of said panels andengaging the lower ends thereof, a pair of poles fixed within saidenclosure and having a ridge piece extending therebetween, a pluralityof support cables extending between said ridge piece and the upper endsof said panels for holding the panels in predetermined position, and alightweight roof structure supported on said cables, a spring leaf fixedto the upper end of each of said panels, and said support cables beingfixed to the last mentioned spring leaves permitting said panels toabsorb shock loads.

15. A safety building construction comprising a foundation, a pluralityof side wall panels each supported upon said foundation in outwardlyinclined relation and forming part of a side wall enclosure, a pluralityof leaf springs having angulated ends, said leaf springs being disposedinwardly of said panels with one end anchored to said foundation and itsother end fastened to an associated panel, a roof and roof support meansincluding cables engaging the upper ends of said panels and resistingoutward swinging of said panels on said foundation.

16. The combination of claim 15 including a pair of upstanding poles insaid enclosure, said roof support means including a rigid ridge piecewith said cables being attached thereto, means pivotally mounting theopposite ends of said ridge piece upon said poles.

17. The combination of claim 16 including fluid circulating passagemeans in at least one of said poles and in said ridge piece, means forcirculating a fluid in heat exchange relation through said passagemeans.

18. The combination of claim 17 including sbcket means swivellyreceiving and supporting the lower ends of said poles, said fluidcirculating means extending through said socket means into itsassociated pole.

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